- "I'm a soldier, like you. This is what I was bred for."
- ―99's last words
Clone 99, or simply 99, was a human male clone of Jango Fett bred to be a clone trooper for the Grand Army of the Republic. He was disabled in the cloning process; instead of serving in the army, he was assigned to be a maintenance duty clone, providing janitorial and maintenance work on his home planet of Kamino. During his time on Kamino, he grew attached to clone cadets as they trained to become troopers, viewing them all as brothers and individuals, rather than clone numbers. He befriended Domino Squad during their time training, and stopped Hevy, a member of Domino Squad, from abandoning them. He inspired Hevy and urged him to see himself as a team with his squad instead of as alone. This led to the squad passing, and Hevy gave 99 his medal in both thanks and as a reason to come back to visit him on Kamino.
Later in the war when Fives and Echo former members of Domino Squad, returned to Kamino he helped them and other clones fight against the Separatist invasion of Kamino, a battle in which 99 lost his life while trying to get more ammunition for the clones. Shortly thereafter, he was mourned in death by the clones he considered brothers, and it was stated he had been a true soldier and one of them. Clone Force 99, a clone commando squad composed of genetically mutated clones, was named in his honor.
Biography[]
Maintenance clone[]
- "99, would you please send a cleaning crew to the training ground."
"Yes, Mistress. We'll take care of the mess." - ―Shaak Ti and 99 after Domino Squad's training exercise
Clone 99[4] was physically disabled due to genetic errors during the cloning process.[5] As a result, he aged faster than his fellow clones.[6] When other clones trained on Kamino and left to serve the Galactic Republic in the Clone Wars, 99 stayed on his home planet and served as[5] a maintenance duty clone.[7]
Working with Domino Squad[]
- "Well, maybe you should embrace the fact that you have a team. See, I never had that. But you need them, and they need you."
- ―99 gives advice to CT-782
During 99's service, he saw many clone cadets graduate and become clone troopers. In 22 BBY, he witnessed bounty hunter Bric, who had been hired to assist in clone cadet training, belittle a Domino Squad, a group of struggling clone cadets. 99 took it upon himself to help Domino Squad out, offering advice specifically to the brash Hevy. One night after the squad failed the Citadel Challenge, 99 met CT-782 in the barracks, seeing him pack up his gear. When 99 asked what he was doing, CT-782 replied that he was leaving because he and his squad were failures. 99 encouraged him not to give up on himself or his brothers, but CT-782 adamantly responded that he had no choice. 99 delivered an impassioned speech, telling him not to throw away his chance, which was a chance that he never had. He told CT-782 not to give up as long as his brothers were at his side, calling him "Hevy," and when CT-782 lashed out at the older clone, saying that he did not have a name and was just a number, 99 replied that to him, he had always had a name. Reconsidering his actions, "Hevy" embraced his nickname and became the leader that his squad needed him to be, coming together and passing the challenge the next day.[5]
Upon their graduation, Hevy gave 99 his graduation medal as a gift for his help and friendship. 99 told him that he could not accept the gift, but Hevy just smiled and said goodbye to his friend, telling him he would get it back from him later.[5]
Defending Kamino[]
- "We lost a true soldier."
"He really was one of us." - ―Commander Cody and Captain Rex mourning 99.
When many clones were called back to their homeworld to defend Kamino from Separatist invasion, 99's role changed from maintenance to assisting in defense preparations. He helped distribute weapons to the clones that dug in around Tipoca City. 99 noticed Domino Squad members Fives and Echo in the hallways, and after greeting them, asked them where Hevy was. The two mournfully revealed that Hevy had been killed, to which 99 was saddened. He showed the two clones that Hevy had given him his graduation medal, which both clones were shocked to learn.[3]
When the Separatist forces led by General Grievous arrived, 99 witnessed the death of ARC Trooper "Havoc." Later, he would run in to Fives and Echo again, helping a group of lost clone cadets. 99 led the group to the armory and set up an ambush in the sleeping quarters. Together, with Clone Captain Rex and Clone Marshal Commander Cody now among their ranks, they lured the droids into the barracks and allowed the cadets, who had hidden in the bunks, launch a surprise attack at them from above. As Fives and Echo used the last of their EMP grenades, 99 ran to get more but was brought down by enemy fire. 99 died in his comrades Echo's arms, reassuring them that he was willing to die as a soldier, as it was what he was bred for.[3]
Legacy[]
- "Experimental unit Clone Force 99, they're defective clones with, uh…desirable mutations."
"Ninety-nine, eh? Nice touch." - ―Commander Cody and Captain Rex
Clone Force 99, nicknamed "the Bad Batch", a clone commando squad composed of clones who also had genetic mutations, was named in his honor.[8] Task Force 99, a special forces Imperial stormtrooper squad, was in turn named after the Clone Force.[source?] In addition, Clone Force 99 also had a predetermined code phrase named Plan 99. Named after 99's sacrifice, the plan consisted of a member sacrificing their life for the sake of their squad in the event of the squad's safety being in jeopardy. Bad Batch member Tech executed this plan, sacrificing himself like his deformed brother had years before him.
Personality and traits[]
99 was a kind and knowledgeable individual, helping him to take the cadets of Domino Squad under his wing.[6] He took pride in his clone heritage and was always helpful and supportive to his brothers, particularly cadets.[4]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Clone Cadets" (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "ARC Troopers"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Bad Batch" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Aftermath" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Replacements" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Reunion" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Return to Kamino" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Ruins of War" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Tipping Point" (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Plan 99" (Indirect mention only)
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Clone 99 in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas places the events of "ARC Troopers," which includes 99's death, to 21 BBY.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "ARC Troopers"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle!
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Clone Cadets"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Clone Tales" — Star Wars Insider 187
- ↑ "Clone Cadets" Episode Gallery on StarWars.com (backup link) (Image 7 caption)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Bad Batch"